Three Days

In what can only be described as the biggest October surprise to date, Osama bin Laden released a video tape. The headline, of course, says it all.

"Bin Laden Warns U.S. Voters. 'Your Security Is in Your Own Hands,' He Says on Videotape." - Washington Post.

You can read a transcript of the message on Drudge.

John Podhroetz has an interesting take on the new OBL tape and concludes that he's a big Michael Moore fan!

The Belmont Club has a pretty good take on it. They argue that this is OBL's attempt to take a time out. They write,

It is important to notice what he has stopped saying in this speech. He has stopped talking about the restoration of the Global Caliphate. There is no more mention of the return of Andalusia. There is no more anticipation that Islam will sweep the world. He is no longer boasting that Americans run at the slightest wounds; that they are more cowardly than the Russians. He is not talking about future operations to swathe the world in fire but dwelling on past glories. He is basically saying if you leave us alone we will leave you alone. Though it is couched in his customary orbicular phraseology he is basically asking for time out.

The American answer to Osama's proposal will be given on Election Day. One response is to agree that the United States of America will henceforth act like Sweden, which is on track to become majority Islamic sometime after the middle of this century. The electorate best knows which candidate will serve this end; which candidate most promises to be European-like in attitude and they can choose that path with both eyes open. The electorate can strike that bargain and Osama may keep his word. The other course is to reject Osama's terms utterly; to recognize the pleading in his outwardly belligerent manner and reply that his fugitive existence; the loss of his sanctuaries; the annihilation of his men are but the merest foretaste of what is yet to come: to say that to enemies such as he, the initials 'US' will always mean Unconditional Surrender.

Osama has stated his terms. He awaits America's answer.

Coincidentally, in case you forgot, Victor Davis Hanson yesterday reminded us why it's so important that we win and not settle for some European truce.

In other news, Charles Krauthammer writes in WAPO about Kerry's abject failure toward the people of Afghanistan.

Michael Barone has an interesting article in UN&WP about what happens if the Electoral College is tied 269-269. Short answer: Bush still wins (probably).

Eleanor Clift's opinion is a Kerry Landslide, of course. Here are the polls--Bush up or tied in all but Zogby. More importantly, here are the tradeable futures markets it's 52%-48% (as of this writing).

Base10 is in the great state of Virginia right now preparing for some college football fun. Stay tuned.
- posted by Base10 @ 9:32 AM